Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 7: Riley Blake Designs Blue Stitch collection

Happy New Year – it’s time to get back to work, and today, we’ll tackle Block 7. I’ll lay out all the blocks soon because I’m excited to see what they look like so far. The Blue Stitch collection by Riley Blake Designs is gorgeous, and the blues are so vibrant.

Spectrum QAL – Block 7

So, let’s get started on Block 7.

Cutting Instructions:

Note that I’m selecting my fabrics block by block, so the fabrics are not labeled the same in each block.

Fabric A Background (white with small square)

• Cut four (4) squares at 2½” square
• Cut four (4) rectangles at 2½” x 4½” (flying geese)
• Cut five (5) squares at 3″ square (half-square triangles)

Fabric B White flowers

• Cut four (4) squares at 2½” square

Fabric C Dark Blue

• Cut one (1) square at 3″ square (half-square triangles)
• Cut eight (8) squares at 2½” square (flying geese)

Fabric D Medium Blue

• Cut four (4) rectangles at 2½” x 4½” (flying geese)
• Cut eight (8) squares at 2½” square (flying geese)

Fabric E Light Blue

Cut six (6) squares at 3″ square (half-square triangles)

This is where I usually have a photo of the fabric pieces laid out on my mini design board. However, I was so excited to get sewing that I forgot to take a picture. Oops!

We need to make some half-square triangle units, as well as some flying geese units. You should be a pro at this by now, so here are the combinations used to make those components.

Half-square triangles

Using five (5) 3″ squares of Fabric A and Fabric E, make ten (10) half-square triangles. Trim to 2½” square.

Using one (1) 3″ square of Fabric C and Fabric E, make two (2) half-square triangles. Trim to 2½” square.

Flying Geese units

Using four (4) 2½” x 4½” rectangles of Fabric A and eight (8) 2½” squares of Fabric D, make four flying geese units. Trim to 2½” x 4½” or at least double-check that they are the right size.

Using four (4) 2½” x 4½” rectangles of Fabric D and eight (8) 2½” squares of Fabric C, make four flying geese units. Trim to 2½” x 4½” – or at least double-check that they are the right size.

Lay the components out on the design board.

The components for Block 7

I’ll sew the units together to make a large nine-patch. Notice how I twirled the seams on two corners units in opposite directions. Press the seams in two of the units clockwise, and press the seams in the other two units counterclockwise. This step will ensure all the seams can be twirled, reducing the bulk.

The pressing plan for two of the corner units

When sewing the two flying geese units together, I pressed two of the seams toward the flying geese point, and two are pressed away from the point. Again, this will ensure the seams will nest to each other to help reduce bulk around those points.

The pressing plans for the flying geese units

Remember when pressing bulky seams, to finger press the seam first before following up with some steam. The more you manipulate those intersections with your fingers, the more likely they are to lie nice with the points showing. If you only press with the iron, the seam may not lie as flat as you would like. You can end up with distortion and a less than perfect point.

Finger pressing the bulk before using steam

The nine components have been assembled for this block. All the seams are twirled on the back or pressed in the appropriate direction to allow the seam allowances in these nine sections to nest to each other.

The nine components of the block are assembled and ready for the final seams

Here’s another tip about twirling those seams. I twirl the seam allowance on the back and finger press it with the tip of the iron. Then I turn the block over and give it a good press with my finger and then the iron to help get everything in the right position and make the block lie flat. While I’m a stickler for pressing only from the front of the block, you cannot twirl the seam from the front. This first part has to be done on the back.

Pressing the twirled seam on the back of the block with the tip of the iron

Here’s the final block. It looks amazing!!! See what I mean about those blues? Gorgeous!

Spectrum QAL – Block 7

Here’s the back of the block. Notice how twirling the seams in opposite directions on the corner units and the unit with the two flying geese allows ALL the seams to nest to each other and to be twirled. I know – I’m a bit obsessive on this twirling technique, but I love how flat the block appears on the front.

The back of the Spectrum QAL Block 7

The Blue Stitch collection by Riley Blake Designs is super gorgeous. I love all the blocks! My on-point layout requires a 13^th block, so I have to make a second version of one of the blocks. Which one will it be?

Have fun making Block 7 for the Spectrum QAL 2020. I look forward to seeing your finished quilts. If you want to check out what Claire’s and Paul’s Block 7 did for their blocks, have a peek.

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!!

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